ANKARA - Ambassador Omur Orhun, Personal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims, said that "the war on terror must not become a war against Muslims".
Taking the floor at a conference on "Discrimination and Intolerance against Muslims" held at the Turkish MFA HQ, Orhun stressed that OSCE brought together 56 countries in the Euro-Atlantic-Asian area, moreover it was the largest regional organization.
Orhun underlined that OSCE had initiated a series of activities to promote tolerance and non-discrimination, and endeavours to organize major conferences for the same purpose.
Being one of the three Representatives of OSCE assigned to coordinate activities related to fight against discrimination and promoting tolerance, Orhun said the quality of life of Muslims living in Western societies must be improved.
"This will lead to better understanding and better integration. Muslims should not be seen as second class citizens, must not be demonized, marginalized, feared or despised," Ambassador Orhun said.
Orhun also emphasized that Muslims should not be marginalized or attempted to be assimilated, but should be accommodated.
"Accommodation is the best strategy for integration," he underlined.